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As Seen In Massage Today
www.MassageToday.com
January 2008
Massage Self-Care Corner
Get on the Ball
David Kent, LMT, NCTMB
As massage therapists, it’s
easy for us to get caught up
in caring for clients; however,
our work makes us especially
prone to injury. This is why
practicing regular self-care is so
important, particularly when
it comes to posture and body
mechanics, both of which play
a role in causing pain and injury
to therapists.
The human body is made up
of systems that work together to
create balance and homeostasis.
When one system is out of balance, it subsequently disrupts
the other systems. For example,
an individual with poor flexibility and a lack of strength will
exhibit improper movement
patterns that affect their posture, gait and ergonomics which,
in turn, affect form (anatomy),
which then affect function
(physiology).
Dr. Vladimir Janda, a
Czech neurologist, categorized
muscles into two groups: those
prone to tightness or shortness
and those prone to weakness
or inhibition. He states that
muscular imbalance occurs
when muscles become too short
or too weak, and that the key
to total balance is strength and
length.
This brings me to my “Personal Daily Self-Care Program,”
which helps me build the
strength, flexibility and balance
my body needs to stay healthy.
But I also like to have fun,
which is why I use an exercise
ball.
When I stretch on the ball,
my breathing becomes easier,
my muscles loosen, my rib
spaces expand and my body
relaxes. Spending a few minutes on the ball each day has
greatly improved my flexibility,
strength, coordination and
posture.
Self-Care Tips for Using a
Professional Exercise Ball
Type: Slow deflate
Size: Choose the size
according to manufacturer
recommendations.
Posture: Maintain good posture before, during and after each
movement.
Breathing: Breathe properly both at rest and during
movement.
Control: Maintain control
throughout the entire movement.
Plan: Develop a strategy to
use the ball for a few minutes
each day.
Goals: Set realistic goals for
improving the performance of
your body’s systems.
David Kent is the president and
founder of Kent Health Systems.
Contact him at www.KentHealth.
com or call 888-574-5600.
The Self-Care Wellness Authors
Barry Antoniow
Bruce Baltz
Erik Dalton
Aaron Mattes
Teresa Matthews
Mike McGillicuddy
Judith DeLany
Sharon Puzsko
David Kent
Benny Vaughn
George Kousaleos
James Waslaski